We have spent numerous weeks in and out of the hospital over the last two years. My best friend's hemoglobin was 5 when we checked into the ED. He was admitted to find out if he was suffering from a GI bleed. Indeed, there was a bleed that needed to be fixed. He was sent to the MICU, where he had a very rough night.

He had no sleep and was very agitated with the staff when he was transferred in. There was absolutely no communication as they began searching through his belongings while another pulled a bucket of water and started squeezing cold water over him. He asked what was going on, and they said just relax, everyone gets this when they come in. I left, and the night went downhill. He was unable to get someone in quickly enough to avoid urinating the bed on two occasions. By morning, he was angry and ready to check himself out and take his chances healing at home.

In walks Sean! Smiling with a big good morning and asking what he could do for us today. My friend was very short with him initially, but he continued to give him his morning meds, conduct an assessment, ask how he was feeling, and how he could help. The continuous heartfelt smile and genuine care calmed him down quite quickly. I watched as this man moved on to other patients, but he quickly came back to ask again how everything was going and what he could do to make the situation better.

It didn't take long for my friend to realize this guy truly cared and wasn't in any rush to walk away before he could explain how he felt. I watched as these two began talking about something they both loved, mixed martial arts. My friend is a huge UFC fan, and we learned that Sean had an MMA fight coming up the following week. Sean invited him to come and watch the show if he was out in time. The time Sean spent finding a way to relate to his patient and showing a genuine passion for caring not only for his physical state but also for his mental state made every difference in my friend staying to heal in the hospital and restoring his faith in his caregivers.

Sean is an amazing nurse, and I am forever grateful for the little extra time he took providing compassionate patient care. My friend was able to be discharged in time to attend Sean's MMA fight, and they have since built a friendship for life! Nurses work tirelessly and mostly without mention, but I felt it necessary to recommend Sean for an award that will recognize him for the amazing human being he is!

Thank you, Sean. You changed our lives, and we are forever grateful!